The Eagles have one preseason game remaining and several roster decisions that Friday night’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals could help settle. Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni must trim the roster to 53 players by Sunday evening. The toughest calls involve the quarterbacks behind Jalen Hurts, a crowded receiver room and reserves trying to earn snaps in Vic Fangio’s defensive rotation.
Some decisions will come down to special teams. Others require choosing between a veteran who can play immediately and a younger player the Eagles want to develop. Keeping an extra offensive lineman or defensive tackle could leave less room for a return specialist or another running back.
Here are nine decisions facing Philadelphia before the deadline.
1. What happens to the quarterback who loses the backup job?
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McKee’s stronger performance against New England helped his argument to back up Hurts. Andy Dalton brings considerably more experience, but the Eagles still need to determine which quarterback can consistently move Sean Mannion’s offense if called upon.
Rookie Cole Payton complicates the numbers. Keeping all four quarterbacks would consume a spot Philadelphia could use elsewhere. Keeping Hurts and both veterans would require another plan for Payton, including the risk of losing him on waivers.
If Payton makes the roster, the McKee-Dalton competition could end with the Eagles moving on from the runner-up.
2. Does the last receiver spot go to a return specialist?
DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon are positioned to handle the bulk of the receiving work. Hollywood Brown and Darius Cooper have also made strong cases, potentially leaving Elijah Moore and Britain Covey competing for one opening.
Covey’s strongest argument is punt returns. Moore offers another option in the slot and has return experience.
The Eagles have to determine how much offensive work that final receiver would receive. If targets will be scarce, fielding punts cleanly and creating favorable field position could carry more weight. Asking Lemon to handle returns would also add another responsibility during his first NFL season.
3. Is there room for Carson Steele beyond the top three backs?
Will Shipley’s 56 rushing yards and a touchdown against New England strengthened his position behind Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby. That leaves Dameon Pierce and Carson Steele needing to offer something beyond additional carries.
Steele’s case involves his ability to line up in the backfield, catch passes and potentially handle lead-blocking assignments. Those jobs could give Mannion more personnel options without taking Barkley off the field.
But the Eagles must decide how often they would use that package. If the role amounts to only a few offensive snaps, Steele’s blocking and special teams work become especially important. Cameron Latu’s ability to perform some of those assignments further complicates the decision.
4. Can the Eagles keep four tight ends?
Dallas Goedert and rookie Eli Stowers give Philadelphia receiving options at tight end. Johnny Mundt offers an experienced blocking option, while Grant Calcaterra provides another pass catcher familiar with Hurts.
Keeping all four would limit the openings for Latu and other reserves. Keeping three would require deciding which skill set the offense can afford to lose.
Mannion’s personnel packages matter here. A tight end who can hold up against an edge defender allows the Eagles to run from heavier formations without substituting. Another receiving option creates different matchups, but that player still needs enough snaps to justify the roster spot.
5. How many offensive linemen are worth protecting?
Drew Kendall and Willie Lampkin have strengthened the interior depth, while Fred Johnson and rookie Markel Bell give Philadelphia alternatives at tackle.
If those four join the five starters, the Eagles would already have nine offensive linemen. Keeping a 10th would leave another difficult choice involving players such as Micah Morris, Jake Majors and Michael Jordan.
The distinction is between making the roster and dressing on game day. A reserve who can handle both guard and center gives the Eagles more flexibility than a player limited to one position. Philadelphia also has to weigh that immediate usefulness against the development of its younger linemen.
6. Does Ty Robinson’s emergence squeeze another defensive tackle?
Robinson has recorded three sacks in two preseason games, including two during his strong performance against New England. He has put himself in position to earn work behind Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo.
That makes the decision involving Byron Young and Gabe Hall more difficult.
If Philadelphia carries five defensive tackles and Robinson makes the team, there may be only one opening for Young or Hall. Keeping six would preserve both but cost a spot elsewhere. Their ability to anchor against double-teams, shed blocks and provide useful early-down snaps should factor heavily into the call.
7. How much edge depth does Jonathan Greenard’s status require?
Greenard’s uncertain availability for the opener complicates the rotation behind Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa provide veteran options, while Jose Ramirez, Keyshawn James-Newby and other reserves are trying to earn a place.
The Eagles need to distinguish between a situational rusher and someone who can survive an extended series.
A reserve who gets pressure on third down but struggles to set the edge could limit Fangio’s options. Carrying another healthy edge defender would provide insurance, particularly if Greenard needs more time, but that player must also justify the spot through defensive or special-teams work.
8. Has Shaun Wade done enough to displace another cornerback?
Wade’s takeaways have kept him in the discussion, but the Eagles have several candidates for reserve work outside, including Kelee Ringo, Jonathan Jones and Jakorian Bennett. The question is which players can replace Quinyon Mitchell or Riq Woolen without forcing major coverage adjustments. Staying in phase downfield, avoiding penalties and tackling on the perimeter all matter.
Keeping Wade could require moving on from another cornerback or carrying an extra player at the position. His production deserves consideration, but Philadelphia also needs to know which reserves can cover kicks and handle defensive snaps against starting receivers.
9. How should the Eagles build the safety depth around Cooper DeJean?
DeJean’s ability to play safety and nickel gives Fangio options. It also creates a roster question: Who plays beside Andrew Mukuba when DeJean moves into the slot? Marcus Epps, Andre’ Sam and rookie Cole Wisniewski offer different combinations of experience, developmental upside and special teams value. Michael Carter II provides another slot option, which could allow DeJean to remain at safety in certain packages.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Toughest decisions facing Eagles before Sunday’s roster deadline
